Rates and predictors of psychotherapy utilization after psychosocial evaluation for stem cell transplant

Although standard of care prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) includes a psychosocial evaluation, little is known about the rate and predictors of psychotherapy utilization among patients presenting for pre-HSCT evaluations. This study aimed to examine the proportion of patients undergoing pre-HSCT evaluations who subsequently utilize psychotherapy services and to explore predictive factors, including distress, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL).

Participants were a cross-sectional sample of 351 HSCT candidates at an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. Questionnaires assessing distress, anxiety, depression, and QoL were administered using validated instruments.

A subset of patients, representing 14% of the sample, utilized psychotherapy services. Relative to patients who did not utilize psychological services, patients who followed-up with psychotherapy reported significantly more depressive and anxious symptoms (P < .001) and endorsed worse QoL on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General. (P = .04). Of note, a subset of patients who utilized psychotherapy services reported low levels of distress (67%), depression (13%), or anxiety (13%); on the other hand, a subset of patients reported moderate-to-high levels of distress (25%), depression (71%), or anxiety (60%) but did not utilize services.

Results indicate that only a small subset of patients presenting for pre-HSCT psychosocial evaluation subsequently utilized psychotherapy services. Most patients who reported psychosocial concerns and who could potentially benefit from intervention did not use psychotherapy services. Further research is necessary to help clarify barriers to psychotherapy service utilization among HSCT patients and to help improve uptake among high-need patients.